Stretching implement



Nov. 2 1926.

A.B.CLARK STRETCHING IMPLEMENT Filed Dec. 30. 1925 2 SheetsSheet 1 gwozwto'o A. 13. (flar'k 61cm new Nov. 2 1926. 1,605,578

A. B. CLARK STRETCHING IMPLEMENT Filed Dec. 30, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A. 13.4 a M Patented Nov. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,605,578 PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT B. CLARK, O F SWARTZ GREEK, MICHIGAN.

STBETCHING IMPLEMENT.

Application filed December a o, 1925. Serial No. 78,382.

My invention relates to an instrument for use in stretching or pulling the spinal column.

As is well known, many diseases are caused by the compression of the spinal column, upon the nerves, blood vessels, etc., which is a condition which frequently develops as a result of disease or age.

It has heretofore been proposed to relieve these conditions by stretching or pulling the spinal column and apparatus has heretofore been devised for this purpose. However,

such apparatus is ordinarily complicated,

and is in the nature of a chair or table.

Such apparatus ordinarily requires an at.

tendant to operate the same. I

My invention is in the nature of an instrument, which may be operated by the patient, as he lies upon abed or cot. My device is extremely simple, and easy to adjust by the patient.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawin s, forming a part of this specification an in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a plan view of an instrument embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same,

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on line 33 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a similar view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a similar view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 1, and,

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the head harness or holder.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration, is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numerals 1 45. and 2' designate a pair of levers or arms, which are pivoted between their ends, at 3, with adjustable bars 4 and 5, respectively.

The bar 5 is provided near its inner end with a longitudinal guide-housing 6, preferably integral therewith, and this guidehousing slidably receives the bar 4. The uide-housing 6 is provided with knuckles rotatably receiving a transverse shaft 8, having a hand wheel 9, to turn the same.

The shaft ,8 carries a gear 10, rigidly mounted thereon, which engages a rack 01' teeth 11. carried by the bar 4. It is thus seen that by turning the hand wheel 9, the bars 4 and 5 may. have relative inward or outward longitudinal movement. In order that the bar 4 may be clamped to the guidehousing 6, in the selected adjusted position, this guide-housing is provided with a boss 12, having a screw-threaded opening for receiving a clamping screw 13, arranged to engage the edge of the bar 4.

The arm or lever 1 is provided with an inwardly curved portion 14, having a shaft 15 .rotatably supported thereon, as shown in Figure 3. The major portion of this shaft is preferably square in cross section and receives thereon a pulley 16, and a ratchet wheel 17, to turn therewith. The shaft 15 is rotated byi a handle 18, rigidly mounted upon the outer end of the shaft 15. The ratchet wheel engages a pawl 19, which is pivoted upon the extension 14. A cable 20 has one end thereof attached to and wound upon the drum 16, and this cable passes about a drum 21, which is pivoted at 22 upon a curved extension 23 of the arm or lever 2. This cable has its opposite end attached to the extension 14, at 24. It is thus seen that by turning the drum 16 in the proper direction, the free ends of the arms or levers 1 and 2 may be moved away from each other.

The device embodies a head holding harness or element 25, which may include a top 1 piece or helmet 26, and .an adjustable strap 27, to pass beneath the chin of the patient, and a strap 27 to engage between the head, and extended to a strap 27". This strap is preferably provided with a pad 28. The invention is not restricted to the particular type of head attaching element, as other forms may be employed. The helmet 26 may be attached to the free end of the arm or lever 1 by means of a suitably stiff retractile coil spring 29, although a non-elastic connection may be used, if desired.

The feet attaching element is designated as a whole by the numeral 30, and embodies curved sockets 31, preferably having pads 32. Adjustable strips 33 are provided to hold the ankles within the sockets. The

element 30 is preferably attached to the arm or lever 2 by a suitably still? retractile coil spring 34, although a non-elastic connection may be employed, if desired.

In the use of the implement, it ma be placed upon a cot or bed at the side 0 the patient, as shown in Figure 1. The element 25 is secured to the head'of the patient and the element to the feet or ankles. The patient may quickly adjust the instrument by manipulating the hand wheel 9. When the pull is to be considerable, the hand wheel 9 is employed to quickly effect the approximate adjustment, and the bars 4 and 5 are locked together by the clamping screw 13. The operator then turns the handle 18 and any degree of pull may be thus obtained.

It is thus seen. that I have provided an instrument which is of simple construction and which may be placed upon a bed or cot at the side of the patient, and manipulated by the patient.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

An implement for use in stretching the spinal column and adapted to be laid upon a bed or the like at the side of the patient and to be supported by said bed, comprising a pair of non-rotating bars having their inner ends overlapping in slidable engagement, means to move one bar longitudinally with relation to the other and to lock said bars together in the adjusted position, a pair of arms provided at their ends with means for connection with the extremities of the patient, means for pivotally connecting the arms between their ends with the outer ends of said bars, a drum rotatably mounted upon the opposite end of one arm, means to rotate the drum and hold it against movement in one direction, a cable having one end attached to the last named arm and its opposite end wound about the drum and a pulley mounted upon the opposite end of the other arm and having a cable passed about the same.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ALBERT B. CLARK. 

